Laikipia: Over 7,000 fire victims in Loldaiga, Laikipia County have a reason to celebrate after receiving Sh505.49 million in compensation from the British government after four years of waiting.
According to Kenya News Agency, the compensation is a result of a severe inferno which left over 12,000 acres of land in Loldaiga area razed down. The fire is believed to have been sparked by The British Army Training Unit (BATUK) in March 2021, affecting the community and wildlife and damaging the environment.
The community lawyer, Kelvin Kubai, confirmed that several claimants had started receiving their compensations through Equity bank on Tuesday and it ranged from Sh22,500 to Sh2.5 million based on the losses incurred and the level of the impact caused by the fire. 'The amount isn't equal based on personal injury, property damage and environmental impact. Majority of the claims were for environmental damage due to smoke nuisance,' said Kubai, adding that it was the first time in Kenya's history people were being compensated due to smoke nuisance.
Among the claimants was Karen Gatwiri, widow to Linus Murangiri who reportedly died after he was crushed by the British Army vehicle as he tried to help put out the fire. He left two children aged two years and four respectively at the time.
The compensation claims were submitted in December 2022 with the British government committing to consider all claims made by the fire victims. Earlier, the victims had cited compensation frustrations including lack of proper channels to submit their claims and non-committal complaints from the British government but all that is in the past.